No Housework Tuesday - It's Official

After two weeks of being quarantined to our home's finally some good news. Yes, this is an official holiday...no housework Tuesday is here!!

Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy. ~Author Unknown

Put down the rag, leave the broom in the closet...

Yes, you read that right, do not, I repeat do not clean on April 7. Sit down, make a cup of coffee and read that book you have been wanting to get at. Day 20 something and I am looking forward to this day. I have spent everyday doing endless dishes, sweeping and vacuuming. If I wipe one more counter top down with bleach, I may take the surface off. So, this day couldn’t have come at a better time. While its origin is somewhat unknown, research has been done that women spend at least 17 hours a week cleaning. This is on top working, kids, husbands and pets, so ye we need to relax. Part of that research shows that relaxation is vital in maintaining a balanced healthy lifestyle. So, what is one day gonna do?

Prepare to Relax

You need to prepare for this day, and no I don’t mean going all Mr. Clean on your house the day before. Of course, for people like me, I will probably do that and then it would just mean I would be exhausted relaxing. We are all quarantined, so we wither are home alone, with our spouse or worse…. with our kids. So, if you must prepare by cleaning dish out tasks the day before with rewards. Whoever finishes first can choose the first family activity, second can choose the lunch for the day and so on. But while you are scrubbing areas you never touch in fear of not cleaning for one day, remember the cleaning police are off tomorrow. But we can’t give the kids a free pass, so preparation is in order, but make it fun not stressful. You don’t want to spend the cleaning free day enforcing a punishment. Stick to the basics and get started.

Enjoy the Day

Now that you have the house ready for relaxation pick something fun or relaxing. Maybe read a book, do that crossword or have family game day. Just because we are stuck in our homes during this amazing holiday doesn’t mean it has to be boring and leave the “keep the house clean” in the nightstand drawer. Take today to enjoy the little things and relish in moments you would otherwise lose because you are so busy tidying up or doing laundry. I won’t lie I am going to struggle hardcore with it and will make sure my dishwasher is empty and ready to take on the role of head dishwasher. But I plan to start my day off with a cup of coffee and my crossword, maybe read the books I have started but haven’t finished and will have movie day with my girls, possibly even a board game. Just a day to not worry about the pet hair sprinkled all over my hardwood floors or the laundry sitting in the basket in the laundry room. I promise not to touch the vacuum, mop or cleaning rag and that is huge for me. I promise not to bring out the bleach cleaner or Windex but instead a board game, book and my slippers. So here is to all my moms, dads and households that are going to #nohousework today!

What did you do today? Was it worth it to not to household chores?